New Forest

New Forest's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census show there were changes in work life.

The population reached nearly 180,000

In the decade to 2011, the population of New Forest increased by 4.2%, from just over 169,000 to 176,000.

The addition of just over 7,100 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, New Forest was home to, on average, 1.7 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was lower than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Fewer people worked long hours

Census 2011 data also show a change in the working patterns of many in New Forest.

The percentage of employed people in New Forest working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 15% in 2001 to 11% in 2011.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.3%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 2.3% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 14% in 2001 to 11% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in New Forest decreased by 3.4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in New Forest, the South East and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in New Forest

The number of people in New Forest from the White ethnic groups remained close to 170,000 between the last two seasons. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 99% to 98%.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the South East (from 95% to 91%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in New Forest from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just under 700 in 2001 to just under 1,700 in 2011 (from 0.4% to 0.9%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from about 840 to about 1,600 (from 0.5% to 0.9%).

Just over 610 people (0.1%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 190 in 2001 (0.4%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in New Forest decreased by 1.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and New Forest by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of New Forest residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.6% to 4.9% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (81%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 69% in 2001. The percentage of New Forest residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 14%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 7.2% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in New Forest decreased by 2.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in New Forest, the South East and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

New Forest stood out from other areas for children

In New Forest, the proportion went up from 65% in 2001 to 66% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion remained close to 62%.

The proportion of households with children in New Forest fell from 26% to 25%, while the proportion of households with only adult children living with their parents increased from 8.8% to 9.1%.

The proportion of households without children was higher than across the South East

Percentage of households that without children across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

New Forest stood out from other areas for housing

In New Forest, the proportion went up from 10% in 2001 to 11% in 2011, while across England it fell from 19% to 18%. During the same period, the regional proportion remained close to 14%.

Private renting in New Forest increased from 7.2% to 12%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 80% to 75%.

The rate of social housing was lower than across the South East

Percentage of households that that rented socially across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

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Area report data

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